DEARBORN — ADC Michigan has launched a new campaign to effectively organize the Arab American community by creating a communications medium that will keep individuals informed on issues that affect them.  The initiative, entitled “One Voice,” began with a kick-off event at last week’s International Arab Festival, where coordinators began work on a community registry that included individuals, businesses and organizations. Throughout the course of the three day festival, ADC Michigan volunteers successfully signed on nearly 600 community members who showed an interest in making their voices heard as Arab Americans. 

The registry consists of basic information on individuals in the Arab American community in Michigan who wish to be actively involved in issues, programs and events. The goal of this ongoing initiative is to unite the community and keep them informed on issues that directly and indirectly affect them.

“The purpose of this campaign is to mobilize the community and aid in the advancement of Arab Americans in the current political climate,” said Moe Yassine, ADC Michigan advisory board member and coordinator of the initiative.

“Over the past few years, we’ve faced countless repercussions in the face of certain events,” Yassine continued. “Because we are not organized as a community, we have been affected politically, economically and socially.  What we are trying to do with ‘One Voice’ is build an effective communications medium that will allow the entire Arab American community to mobilize. This campaign will essentially provide us with the tools we need to function as an organized community.”

One of the program’s primary functions is to unite the community during the crucial months before the 2008 presidential election, by promoting voter registration and working towards high voter turnout.  In addition to the community registry, ADC Michigan also assisted numerous individuals with voter registration forms during the Arab Festival.  While “One Voice” will extend far beyond November, its coordinators recognize that it is vital to ensure that the Arab American vote is an integral part of the election process.  Many in the community appear frustrated by the fact that Arab Americans have been virtually ignored by both the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, and wish to change this by actively engaging as a community united.

ADC Michigan Regional Director, Imad Hamad, said that this initiative is important for not only the upcoming election, but for the future of the Arab American community.

“This is a unique and important initiative that merits serious attention from the entire community,” said Hamad.  “This is not a typical registration campaign.  It serves as an opportunity to empower the Arab American community and give them the tools to communicate and respond effectively.  This will, in the long run, help the community immensely.”

While the number of people who signed up at the Arab Festival was impressive, “One Voice” coordinators plan to continue to push this effort further, in an effort to involve as many community members as possible.

Yassine added that the kick-off event at the Arab International Festival was successful because of the commitment of the volunteers who dedicated their time to the cause.  ADC volunteers were out in the crowd and at the organization’s booth during from the time the festival opened until the time it ended.  Many even stayed through bad weather, as the Dearborn area was hit with heavy rain on Saturday afternoon.

ADC Michigan has made an electronic version of the registration form available on the organization’s website. To be included in the community registry, visit //www.adcmichigan.org/register.asp.